October 1, 2007

Dear Clergy and Convention Delegates:

            We regret to announce that All Saints’ Episcopal School has withdrawn its offer to host this year’s Diocesan Convention. Headmaster Tad Bird notified Bishop Iker on Wednesday, September 26th, of the school board’s decision, citing concerns about security and negative publicity for the School in the face of possible pro-gay rights demonstrators at the Convention.
             
            The opening Eucharist will now be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church at 5001 Crestline Road, Fort Worth, 76107 on Friday, November 16th at 2:00 p.m. Our guest preacher will be The Rt. Rev. Frank Lyons, Bishop of Bolivia. All Clergy are to vest and process at the service in cassock, surplice and white stole. Registration for the opening business session will take place in the parish hall immediately following the Eucharist.  The opening session of the Convention will follow at 4:30 pm in the nave of the Church and continue until 6:00 pm. Since this is the opening session of Convention, all clergy and delegates should be in attendance.

            As previously planned, the evening will continue at Ridglea Country Club, 3700 Bernie Anderson Avenue, Fort Worth, with hospitality (cash bar) beginning at 6:30 pm, to be followed by dinner. Directions to Ridglea Country Club are included in this packet. Dinner reservations are required and are included in this packet with the Meal Reservation Form. Please pay strict attention to the deadlines. Also, there is information included for those needing overnight accommodations.

            The Saturday session has been moved to the East Texas Room at the Will Rogers Memorial Center at 3401 W. Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth. (Map) Registration will be from 7:30 am until 8:45 am. It is necessary that everyone re-register for the Saturday session. A continental breakfast will be served during registration. Morning Prayer will begin at 8:30 am in the East Texas Room. The Saturday session will convene at 9:00 am in the East Texas Room with the Bishop’s annual address. We will break for lunch around noon; the cost will be $15.00 per person, including breakfast. This will also be a very good time to visit the parish/mission displays, which is part of our 25th anniversary celebration. The vendor area will also be open and will be welcoming visitors. After lunch, the Convention will continue until all business has been transacted.

            Enclosed you will find information that is important as you prepare for the Convention.  Please read through this packet thoroughly and plan on attending your Deanery meeting where the various nominees, budget and other items to be presented at the Convention will be discussed. All six deanery meetings will take place on Thursday, October 25th at 7:00 pm. The place of each meeting is included in this packet. Everything you receive in this packet will not be reproduced at Convention.  Please bring this material with you to the Deanery meeting and the Convention.

            We are also providing the proposed 2008 Diocesan Budget that has been recently formulated by the Executive Council.  Attached to the budget is a brief narrative that is designed to anticipate any questions you may have and is provided for your assistance.

            Be sure to review the page of Nominees for Elective Office before the day of Convention.

            Once again, please note that registration is necessary for both Friday and Saturday sessions.

            This year’s theme for Convention is “25 Years~Together in Mission.” The Bishop is looking forward to seeing each of you at the Eucharist on Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm as we begin this year’s Convention.

            Finally, your attention to the material in this packet is vital as you represent the various parishes and missions of this Diocese.

                                                                         Yours in Christ,

                                                                         The Rev. Canon Charles A. Hough, III
                                                                         on behalf of the Bishop and
                                                                         The Convention Arrangements Committee

CAH/ggp